Friday 16 May 2014

Green-winged Orchids

Seems to be a great year for Green-winged orchids! Peak flowering time is May, the green "wings" are green-veined sepals on either side of the mauve petals. I visited a meadow last week and counted nearly 100 spikes, I have never seen so many at this site!

Green-winged Orchids

Sunday 3 March 2013

March Hares

A walk in search of hares today proved successful. Brown hares appear to have a stronghold in Hampshire despite a severe national decline. They're easiest to spot at this time of year, before the grasses and crops grow too tall. On a walk along the Clarendon way this afternoon, we spotted three, standing out against the green shoots of crops just coming through. One was hunkered down against the wind and staying very still; the other two were more active running and chasing each other in and out of the hedgerow, a marvelous sight!

Brown Hare

Saturday 27 October 2012

Autumn Beeches in the New Forest

Picked the best day of the weekend for a walk in the New Forest at Bramshaw. The leaves have turned shades of copper, yellow and brown and looked stunning in the autumn sunshine. We walked a five mile route recommended on the walk and cycle website:

Walk and Cycle Penn Common and Bramshaw Wood

It was a bit hard going at times through the muddy bits but nothing impassable. Finished off with a lovely lamb dinner at The Lamb pub, Nomansland.

Autumn Beeches in Bramshaw Wood




Saturday 4 August 2012

Southern Damselfly

Today I chanced a trip to a well known spot for Southern Damselfly in the New Forest, hoping to see one there for the first time. The breeze was getting up and as it is the end of their season (late May to August) I wasn't hopeful but luck was with me and as the sun came out, I spotted a total of four males  They were hovering low and resting on the bog myrtle and grasses. Once your eye is trained in on their slow up and down flight and what I can only describe as "stubby" appearance, they are distinguishable from the other blue damselflies such as the Azure and Common Blue. The key diagnostic feature is the mercury mark on the 2nd abdominal segment, just visible on my photo below:

Southern Damselfly on Bog Myrtle

Monday 9 July 2012

Orchids

Today I went to Martin Down, a fantasic chalk grassland site and National Nature Reserve on the Hampshire borders. Despite the showers there was enough sunshine to see a few butterflies including marbled whites and dark green frits.  Yellowhammers and skylarks were also frequent, filling the air with liquid warbling song. The main event is of course the displays of orchids, which include common spotted, pyramidal, fragant, and frog, the picture below is of two frog orchids of different shades, a red-brown and lighter green.

Frog Orchids - Martin Down

Thursday 3 May 2012

Natterjacks

The natterjack toad is a rare and protected species in England, found only at a few sites in the south, so it was a real treat to hear them calling on a trip to a sandy heathland, last night. The toads rest in burrows in the day, then as the sun sets, move to preferred spawning ponds, where the males then call to attract the females. Their call is exceptionally loud, a fantastic rounded, chirping sound and only a few males can make a very impressive chorus.

natterjack toad with distinctive yellow eye

Sunday 22 April 2012

Bluebells

Not a great year for bluebells, dry and hot followed by heavy downpours. However, Hampshire has some of the best woods for seeing them and magnificent carpets can be found in some of our larger beech woodlands. The combination of new green beech leaves and lilac blue is a special spring sight; a natural magic unique to England.

Bluebell Wood